Two and a half weeks to go till County Fair time for Calvin's sheep. Most of them have been frequenting shows all summer long but the county and state fairs are what really count. So it is dialing in time...time for precision feeding and watering, noting the changes each day and working toward the goal weight for each lamb. It's worse than Weight Watchers for sheep.
I have chore duty tonight and tomorrow and the list for feeding the lambs reads like an instructional manual. There are eight separate pens of show lambs who get precise morsels of feed according to what they need to do; gain weight, lose weight, maintain weight, maximize their muscles and more. One lamb is even fitted with a muzzle when not eating because he has a bad habit of chewing on his leg wool.
Although it sounds like show lambs require a lot of work to prepare for the shows, it is nothing compared to the preparation that God has done for us since before time began. Only the Holy Spirit understands the scope of God's plans that will be revealed to us one day.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV).
Monday, July 6, 2015
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Forgiveness
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV).
When hurtful things are said to someone you love it is often harder to forgive than when it is a personal attack. I want to defend and correct the things that were said in error and make the person understand how wrong he/she is. Words can cut like a knife and often people don't realize how badly a person can be hurt by things that are said.
Forgiveness sometimes takes time for healing to happen and so the hurt can be let go. But God calls us to forgive so that our own sins can be forgiven. The longer we hold anger and unforgiveness the worse we feel. Once the hurt is released there is a peace that comes to fill the hole where unforgiveness lived and burdened you.
Lord, heal my broken heart and repair it so forgiveness and peace can move in and bring healing to my emotions and my soul. Amen.
When hurtful things are said to someone you love it is often harder to forgive than when it is a personal attack. I want to defend and correct the things that were said in error and make the person understand how wrong he/she is. Words can cut like a knife and often people don't realize how badly a person can be hurt by things that are said.
Forgiveness sometimes takes time for healing to happen and so the hurt can be let go. But God calls us to forgive so that our own sins can be forgiven. The longer we hold anger and unforgiveness the worse we feel. Once the hurt is released there is a peace that comes to fill the hole where unforgiveness lived and burdened you.
Lord, heal my broken heart and repair it so forgiveness and peace can move in and bring healing to my emotions and my soul. Amen.
Monday, June 29, 2015
To Do Lists
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22 NIV).
I have an unwritten "to do" list for today that is quite long. At the top of the list was writing my blog. The problem is that I didn't know what I was going to write about today. My thoughts are overwhelmed by something I don't want to write about. The Supreme Court Justice's recent decision. It is too controversial for me and I don't want to upset anyone. But that's a cop-out.
I can't stand by and pretend I'm okay with the decision to make all marriages legal. The Bible says homosexuality is wrong. It is black and white; it's a sin. But I sin, too. I'm no better than any other person. I have my own issues to deal with so I'm not interested in knocking on any doors and judging. My heart aches for parents who have children who have made the homosexual choice for they too must be overwhelmed and confused as they struggle to uphold their faith and love their children. It doesn't get any harder than that.
I have several homosexuals whom I consider friends. I don't affirm their choices but I love them as children of God. I know that God loves everyone, no matter what their sin. And I'm thankful that He accepts me as the person I was created to be. I don't understand why some people struggle with this choice. I believe that our country was founded on faith in God but I see government swaying from that foundation.
The world isn't what it used to be, but we aren't called to be in the world. We are called to love others as Jesus loves them. We are called to live out a life that Jesus would have lived. He loved all sinners but did not love their sin. That's the road I choose to walk. I'm going to continue to love those who choose a different life and dislike their sin. God will deal with us all on judgement day and His judgement is all that matters.
I have an unwritten "to do" list for today that is quite long. At the top of the list was writing my blog. The problem is that I didn't know what I was going to write about today. My thoughts are overwhelmed by something I don't want to write about. The Supreme Court Justice's recent decision. It is too controversial for me and I don't want to upset anyone. But that's a cop-out.
I can't stand by and pretend I'm okay with the decision to make all marriages legal. The Bible says homosexuality is wrong. It is black and white; it's a sin. But I sin, too. I'm no better than any other person. I have my own issues to deal with so I'm not interested in knocking on any doors and judging. My heart aches for parents who have children who have made the homosexual choice for they too must be overwhelmed and confused as they struggle to uphold their faith and love their children. It doesn't get any harder than that.
I have several homosexuals whom I consider friends. I don't affirm their choices but I love them as children of God. I know that God loves everyone, no matter what their sin. And I'm thankful that He accepts me as the person I was created to be. I don't understand why some people struggle with this choice. I believe that our country was founded on faith in God but I see government swaying from that foundation.
The world isn't what it used to be, but we aren't called to be in the world. We are called to love others as Jesus loves them. We are called to live out a life that Jesus would have lived. He loved all sinners but did not love their sin. That's the road I choose to walk. I'm going to continue to love those who choose a different life and dislike their sin. God will deal with us all on judgement day and His judgement is all that matters.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Summer Goals
What is your goal for the summer?
To win the rate of gain at the county fair? To run in seven
5K races? To raise the largest tomato? To go camping every weekend? To read the
Bible every day? To keep the garden weeded?
To lose 20 pounds? To hold that new grandbaby every weekend? To read
five books? To exercise everyday? To watch fifty baseball games? To have a
picnic? To go to Adventureland?
No matter what your goal, it takes determination and focus
to reach it. Some goals are harder than others to reach. And some are out of
our direct control to achieve. But goals are important things to have. Several
of the above could be my goals for the summer. Goals help us strive toward
greatness of some sort or to accomplish something new and perhaps thought
unreachable.
It’s good to have goals in our faith life as well. We need
to keep growing in our faith and that takes discipline and effort. We can slide
along in the same place for months or years and our faith becomes dormant and
stale. But when we work at growing stronger our faith takes on new life and
excitement.
To live our life as a disciple of Christ is to follow His
teachings, His path, His leading. God desires for us to grow in our faith, to
set goals for the future and to live like Christ would have us live.
“I press on toward the
goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 3:14 NIV).
Monday, June 22, 2015
Dreams and Reality
I've always dreamed of having a loft in my house. It would be a perfect place to write and I could overlook the world from a vantage point on high.
At the writers' workshop last week I had a dream come true. My cabin was an A-frame with a sleeping loft. The owners open their cabins to others when they aren't using them and the user is just to leave it as you find it, if not better.
It was a comfortable place, especially with the loft. But, between the first level and the loft were steps - deep, steep steps. I had my sleeping bag to get up to the beds and myself, of course. I could imagine myself falling down from the top step, lying in a heap at the bottom. But that didn't happen. I used both left and right railings and teetered myself to the top without hazard.
Awaiting above was the view I'd dreamed of. The massive windows opened to the large expanse of green outdoors overlooking a park-like area surrounded by trees. It was lush and beautiful. I arranged my sleeping bag under the ceiling fan and settled in for a lovely rest. Sometimes we really don't want what we dream of, if reality clicks in. I'm too old to climb stairs like those every day. Our one-level home is quite appropriate for this aging couple. We're still ambulatory at least on one level.
"For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite"" (Isaiah 57:15 NIV).
I'm glad God has the high and lofty seat. He sees all and knows all. Sometimes our dreams don't take reality into consideration. Thankfully, God sees the big picture for us.
At the writers' workshop last week I had a dream come true. My cabin was an A-frame with a sleeping loft. The owners open their cabins to others when they aren't using them and the user is just to leave it as you find it, if not better.
It was a comfortable place, especially with the loft. But, between the first level and the loft were steps - deep, steep steps. I had my sleeping bag to get up to the beds and myself, of course. I could imagine myself falling down from the top step, lying in a heap at the bottom. But that didn't happen. I used both left and right railings and teetered myself to the top without hazard.
Awaiting above was the view I'd dreamed of. The massive windows opened to the large expanse of green outdoors overlooking a park-like area surrounded by trees. It was lush and beautiful. I arranged my sleeping bag under the ceiling fan and settled in for a lovely rest. Sometimes we really don't want what we dream of, if reality clicks in. I'm too old to climb stairs like those every day. Our one-level home is quite appropriate for this aging couple. We're still ambulatory at least on one level.
"For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite"" (Isaiah 57:15 NIV).
I'm glad God has the high and lofty seat. He sees all and knows all. Sometimes our dreams don't take reality into consideration. Thankfully, God sees the big picture for us.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Keep on Learning
"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near" (Matthew 24:32 NIV).
We're never too old to learn something new. Learning keeps us young and vibrant. It makes us grow and keeps our mind fluid and active. It opens new doors to adventures and insights. Learning gives us energy and delight.
For the next three days I'll be attending a Christian Writers Workshop where I plan to learn more about writing. I'm always amazed by the knowledge that the published experts share with the attendees. Their experience and writing skills help mold their spoken words with such rich teaching that plants new learning in each attendee. Their encouragement is like water from a sprinkling can, touching the hearts of listeners.
I wondered if I should even attend the workshop this year. After all I'm retired and I only write sporadically in addition to the twice-a-week blogs. I've attended it twice before and I still have much to learn. Each of the speakers offers new insight to the world of writing, with his/her own perspective on the written word.
It is my prayer that God will use this workshop to inspire and direct my future work to be in His will. I pray that my ears will be open to hearing what God wants me to hear, and my eyes be open to what God wants me to see. All so I can write what God wants me to write.
We're never too old to learn something new. Learning keeps us young and vibrant. It makes us grow and keeps our mind fluid and active. It opens new doors to adventures and insights. Learning gives us energy and delight.
For the next three days I'll be attending a Christian Writers Workshop where I plan to learn more about writing. I'm always amazed by the knowledge that the published experts share with the attendees. Their experience and writing skills help mold their spoken words with such rich teaching that plants new learning in each attendee. Their encouragement is like water from a sprinkling can, touching the hearts of listeners.
I wondered if I should even attend the workshop this year. After all I'm retired and I only write sporadically in addition to the twice-a-week blogs. I've attended it twice before and I still have much to learn. Each of the speakers offers new insight to the world of writing, with his/her own perspective on the written word.
It is my prayer that God will use this workshop to inspire and direct my future work to be in His will. I pray that my ears will be open to hearing what God wants me to hear, and my eyes be open to what God wants me to see. All so I can write what God wants me to write.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Church Family
"On this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Matthew 16:18 NIV).
I'm fortunate to have a very special church where we are more like family than a congregation. Our church, Bethel Grove, began by the pioneers gathering in their homes when they first settled in the prairies of Iowa. As the numbers grew they built a small one room building that was used for school and church. Their numbers continued to grow until they built church buildings used for worship gatherings, increasing the size each time they built.
"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46-47 NIV).
It's precious to be loved by your fellow worshippers as family. They care about you and what's going on in your life. They pray for you and for the best to come to your life. The church family is excited to share the blessings of their lives with you also, as well as the trials and concerns they have. Together you share the pains and problems of life as well as the blessings and joys that come your way. It is give and take equally and love forms as the joining cord that runs through the church.
I'm thankful for my church family and so blessed to be bound together by love with them.
I'm fortunate to have a very special church where we are more like family than a congregation. Our church, Bethel Grove, began by the pioneers gathering in their homes when they first settled in the prairies of Iowa. As the numbers grew they built a small one room building that was used for school and church. Their numbers continued to grow until they built church buildings used for worship gatherings, increasing the size each time they built.
"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46-47 NIV).
It's precious to be loved by your fellow worshippers as family. They care about you and what's going on in your life. They pray for you and for the best to come to your life. The church family is excited to share the blessings of their lives with you also, as well as the trials and concerns they have. Together you share the pains and problems of life as well as the blessings and joys that come your way. It is give and take equally and love forms as the joining cord that runs through the church.
I'm thankful for my church family and so blessed to be bound together by love with them.
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